After volunteering for the second year in a row at The Book Fairies, the employees of Options for Community Living, Inc. encourage other corporate groups to volunteer in their communities. The Book Fairies is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering literacy and academic success in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as the five boroughs.
“Research has found that participation in voluntary services is significantly predictive of better mental and physical health, but the sense of accomplishment and meaning gained from helping others is well-established,” said Yolanda-Robano-Gross, Executive Director at Options for Community Living, Inc. “When the Options team volunteers together, we’re putting our personal and professional values in action. When we stand together to help, our communities are stronger and, more importantly, our differences fade away. At Options, our core mission is about supporting people in need — so day in and day out, we see first-hand the transformative power that ordinary people have when they step up and offer service.”
The Book Fairies collects new and gently used reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. In addition to fostering literacy and academic success, their mission is to provide a respite from personal struggles and nurture a love of reading across all age groups. “In many of the communities we serve, library access is not possible because a government ID is required to sign up for a library card,” said Amy Zaslansky, founder of The Book Fairies. “Our goal is to step in, fill the literary gap, and make sure that every person who wants to read has access to the materials that they need.”
Options employees spent the day sorting books for an upcoming free book fair and packing books to be distributed to high poverty schools and community organizations. “Many of our employees have fond memories of reading as children and still feel connected to the books they read in their youth,” said Robano-Gross. “Having the opportunity to volunteer with an organization that fosters a love of reading in children across Long Island is very special. We are happy to help.”
About Options for Community Living, Inc.
Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults recovering from mental illness and affordable supportive housing and care coordination services for individuals and families with chronic health conditions. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 2,000 adults and children annually. Options Thrift Shop in Ronkonkoma is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Call 631.676.4579 for additional information. For more information about Options for Community Living, Inc., please visit the website at www.optionscl.org or call 631.361.9020.
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